Newcastle through as Celta slump

Newcastle United FC made sure of their place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup as Steven Taylor's first goal for the club earned their third successive win and put them firmly in charge of Group H. Taylor stooped to head in four minutes from time after Antoine Sibierski had cancelled out an early lead given to the visitors by Ernesto Canobbio.

Canobbio curler
After Albert Luque - match-winner in Newcastle's 1-0 Matchday 2 success at US Città di Palermo - had screwed a low drive beyond the far post in the opening minute, Celta dictated the early exchanges and went ahead with nine minutes played as Canobbio curled the ball past the outstretched hand of Shay Given from just outside the penalty area.

Third goal
The Spanish side might have doubled their advantage before Newcastle found themselves on level terms eight minutes before the interval. A teasing cross from the right by James Milner was key as Sibierski rose above two defenders to head his third UEFA Cup goal of the campaign from close range. Newcastle would even have been in front going into the break had defender Titus Bramble not nodded over when arriving unmarked to meet a free-kick. Ángel López nearly made the English team pay for that miss soon after the restart, drifting in from the right but firing wide.

Late winner
It was a rare opportunity for either side as Newcastle, who knew a point would be enough to secure qualification, played a possession game before defender Taylor was on the spot to give them all three from Luque's corner as full time beckoned. It was a hammer blow for Celta who have just a draw to show for their opening two games and who will welcome Fenerbahçe SK next week seeking a first win.